Hobbies And Interests
Instructions
Inspect furniture pieces for Stickley Brothers marks which include decals, paper labels, plaques and branded markings. Look under table tops and chair arms. Markings are centered on the upper backside of book shelves, sideboards and other cabinet pieces. These markings can pin down the time frame of production and identify which Stickley brother crafted the item in question.
Compare maker markings to a ̶0;Stickley Brother̵7;s Shopmarks̶1; guide which can be viewed at the Stickley Museum site or in a photo gallery and listing from the book, Stickley Brothers Furniture: Identification and Value Guide. While the marks changed periodically during the production years, the original maker̵7;s mark retains a carpenter compass and possibly the words, ̶0;Als ik kan̶1; which mean ̶0;to the best of my ability̶1; in Flemish.
Inspect the craftsmanship of Stickley furniture. It will maintain a solid construction. Pieces were produced with exposed structural elements such as visible dowels and tenon joints which added aesthetic detail and enhanced the simple elegance of the Stickley design.
Examine the furniture̵7;s finish. The Stickley brothers chose clear dyes versus opaque like other furniture makers of that time. Varnishes were hand applied so that the wood grain would be visible. Materials were also chosen for their natural qualities such as canvas and leather.
Characterize Stickley furniture by the indicative Mission Style. It is easily recognizable by its well-balanced shape and proportion and evenly-spaced vertical slats that diminish the masculine appearance of the piece. Woods used were primarily American white oak, in addition to chestnut, maple or mahogany.
Obtain a reprint catalog of the original Stickley furniture company online or from Dover publications. Listed inside are the model numbers, picture and description including height and width of items of interest. Match the catalog representation to the actual item to identify it as a Stickley Brothers piece.